Athens-Clarke County police said this morning they are searching for a man who crashed a stolen car then walked away.
The crash was a minor two-vehicle collision on Oglethorpe Avenue at Knottingham Drive, but it prompted a swift police response because the suspect was seen wearing a sheathed knife on his hip and was in the vicinity of Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School, said Lt. Pat Whitmore.
“He never displayed the knife or got aggressive, but we got as many folks there as possible to look for him because it was near the school,” Whitmore said.
The vehicle he abandoned was confirmed to have been reported stolen in Barrow County, the officer said.
The man was described by police as a white male who may be in his 40s. He was seen wearing a white hat, red jacket or hooded sweatshirt, and jeans.
Police are cautioning people to not approach this person if he is seen, but to call 911.
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